Systems and methods wherein a player positions an item in a list during game play

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are provided wherein a player positions an item in a list during game play. According to one embodiment, a list of item descriptions is provided to the player. Each item description is positioned in the list according to an associated item value. For example, each item description may comprise an event description and each item value may be an event date associated with an event description. An additional item description, associated with an additional item value, is also provided to the player. An indication of a list position associated with the additional item is received from the player. If the received indication is correct, the additional item description is added to the list and another additional item description is provided to the player.

FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to games. In particular, thepresent invention relates to systems and methods wherein a playerpositions an item in a list during game play.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Many players enjoy playing games in which a game result is basedon (i.e., is based at least in part on) a player's knowledge, such as atrivia game in which a player is required to answer a question. Forexample, consider the following question:

[0003] “Which of the following products was first introduced in 1985?

[0004] A) NEW COKE®

[0005] B) DIET PEPSI®

[0006] C) GATORAIDE®

[0007] D) YOO-HOO®)”

[0008] In this case, the player would be required to indicate an answerto the question (e.g., by selecting one of A through D). If the playerindicates the correct answer, he or she may continue playing the game byanswering other questions.

[0009] Similarly, a player may be required to place a list of items in acorrect order. For example, consider the following:

[0010] “Order the following products based on the date each product wasfirst introduced, starting with the earliest.

[0011] A) NEW COKE®

[0012] B) DIET PEPSI®

[0013] C) GATORAIDE®

[0014] D) YOO-HOO®”

[0015] In this case, the player would be required to indicate an orderof the items (e.g., by selecting A-D-B-C). The “fast finger” round inWHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRES is one example of such a game questionformat.

[0016] There are a number of disadvantages, however, with both of thesegame question formats. For example, it is often desirable to have gamequestions become more difficult during game play. Consider a game inwhich a player wins a prize when he or she correctly answers twentyquestions (without incorrectly answering any question). In this case,players may enjoy the game more if they are first asked relatively easyquestions (e.g., allowing most players to correctly answer at least afew questions). Of course, a game provider will still want the laterquestions to become more difficult to prevent too many players fromwinning the prize. Such an approach also naturally enhances the dramaand excitement of game play.

[0017] Simply having a player answer a series of different questionsand/or order different lists of items, however, will not necessarilyresult in increasingly difficult game play. Instead, a game providerwould need to review each question (or list of items) and estimate alevel of difficulty. For example, a game provider might predict thatmost people will be able to correctly order the four drinks listed inthe previous example, and therefore decide that such a question (orlist) should be provided to players near the beginning of game play.Such an approach, however, is subjective and time consuming, especiallyif a large number of players will play the game (e.g., when thousands ofplayers are going to play the game every day).

[0018] Moreover, requiring a player to order different lists of itemsduring game play means that the player will need to read and evaluateevery item in each list. Some players will find this approach boring,and the game format will lack suspense because each new list does notbuild on a player's previous game play (e.g., the items the playerevaluated on previous lists).

SUMMARY

[0019] To alleviate problems inherent in the prior art, the presentinvention introduces systems and methods wherein a player positions anitem in a list during game play.

[0020] According to one embodiment, a list of item descriptions isprovided to a player. Each item description is positioned in the listaccording to an associated item value. An additional item description,associated with an additional item value, is also provided to theplayer. An indication of a list position associated with the additionalitem is received from the player. If the received indication is correct,the additional item description is added to the list and anotheradditional item description is provided to the player.

[0021] Another embodiment is directed to a computer-implemented methodof conducting a game. According to this embodiment, it is arranged for aplayer to provide a payment in exchange for playing a game. A list ofevent descriptions is then transmitted to a remote player device via acommunication network. Each of the event description are positioned inthe list in accordance with an event date associated with the eventdescription. An additional event description is also transmitted, and alist position associated with the additional event description isreceived from the remote player device. The received list position isthen evaluated based on an event date associated with the additionalevent description. If the received list position is correct, the list isupdated to include the additional event description and anotheradditional event description is transmitted. Based on a number ofcorrect list positions received from the player, it may be arranged forthe player to receive payment of a prize amount.

[0022] According to another embodiment, a first indication of a firstitem associated with a first value is provided along with secondindication of a second item associated with a second value. Anadditional indication of an additional item associated with anadditional value is also provided. An indication is then received, theindication representing (i) a relationship between the additional valueand the first value and (ii) a relationship between the additional valueand the second value.

[0023] According to another embodiment, a first indication of a firstitem associated with a first value is provided along with secondindication of a second item associated with a second value. According tothis embodiment, the first value and the second value are not indicatedto the player, but a relationship between the first value and the secondvalue is indicated to the player. An additional indication of anadditional item associated with an additional value is also providedwithout indicating the additional value to the player. An indication isthen received, the indication representing (i) a relationship betweenthe additional value and the first value and (ii) a relationship betweenthe additional value and the second value.

[0024] According to another embodiment, a list of item descriptions isprovided to a player, each item description being positioned in the listaccording to an associated item value. An indication of a list positionis also provided to the player along with a set of additional itemdescriptions, each of the additional item descriptions being associatedwith an additional item value. An indication of one of the additionalitem descriptions is then received from the player. If the receivedindication is correct, the appropriate additional item description isadded to the list and another indication of a list position is providedto the player along with another set of additional item descriptions.

[0025] According to another embodiment, a player receives a list of itemdescriptions, each item description being positioned in the listaccording to an associated item value. The player also receives anadditional item description, the additional item description beingassociated with an additional item value, and provides an indication ofa list position associated with the additional item. If the providedindication is correct, the player receives (i) an updated list includingthe additional item description and (ii) another additional itemdescription.

[0026] One embodiment of the present invention comprises: means forproviding a list of item descriptions to a player, each item descriptionbeing positioned in the list according to an associated item value;means for providing an additional item description to the player, theadditional item description being associated with an additional itemvalue; means for receiving from the player an indication of a listposition associated with the additional item; and means for adding theadditional item description to the list and providing another additionalitem description to the player if the received indication is correct.

[0027] Another embodiment comprises: means for arranging for a player toprovide a payment in exchange for playing a game; means for transmittinga list of event descriptions to a remote player device via acommunication network, each event description being positioned in thelist in accordance with an event date associated with the eventdescription; means for transmitting an additional event description;means for receiving from the remote player device a list positionassociated with the additional event description; means for evaluatingthe received list position based on an event date associated with theadditional event description; means for updating the list to include theadditional event description and transmitting another additional eventdescription if the received list position is correct; and means forarranging for the player to receive payment of a prize amount based on anumber of correct list positions received from the player.

[0028] With these and other advantages and features of the inventionthat will become hereinafter apparent, the invention may be more clearlyunderstood by reference to the following detailed description of theinvention, the appended claims, and the drawings attached herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029]FIG. 1 is a block diagram overview of a game system according toan embodiment of the present invention.

[0030]FIG. 2A is a flow chart of a method for facilitating game playaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031]FIG. 2B illustrates two game displays according to an embodimentof the present invention.

[0032]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a player device according to anembodiment of the present invention.

[0033]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a game controller according to anembodiment of the present invention.

[0034]FIG. 5 is a tabular representation of a portion of a playerdatabase according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035]FIG. 6 is a tabular representation of a portion of an itemdatabase according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036]FIG. 7 is a tabular representation of a portion of a game databaseaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037]FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

[0038]FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a method according to another embodimentof the present invention.

[0039]FIGS. 10A through 10C illustrate player devices displayinginformation according to some embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems andmethods wherein a player positions an “item” in a list during game play.As used herein, the term “item” refers to any object or information thatis associated with a value. For example, an item may be a historicalevent that is associated with a date on which the event occurred. Otherexamples of items include cities (e.g., associated with latitudes),countries (e.g., associated with populations), consumer items (e.g.,associated with retail prices), and celebrities (e.g., associated withpopularity survey results).

[0041] Game System Overview

[0042] Turning now in detail to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a block diagramof a game system 100 according to one embodiment of the presentinvention. The game system 100 includes a game controller 400 incommunication with a number of player devices 300. As used herein,devices (such as the player devices 300 and the game controller 400) maycommunicate, for example, via a communication network, such as a LocalArea Network (LAN), a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), a Wide AreaNetwork (WAN), a proprietary network, a Public Switched TelephoneNetwork (PSTN), a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) network, a cabletelevision network, or an Internet Protocol (IP) network such as theInternet, an intranet or an extranet. Moreover, as used herein,communications include those enabled by wired or wireless technology.Note that although a single game controller 400 is shown in FIG. 1, anynumber of game controllers 400 may be included in the game system 100.Similarly, any number of the other devices described herein may beincluded in the game system 100 according to embodiments of the presentinvention.

[0043] In one embodiment of the present invention, a player device 300communicates with a remote, Web-based game controller 400 (e.g., aserver) via the Internet. Although some embodiments of the presentinvention are described with respect to information exchanged using aWeb site, according to other embodiments information can instead beexchanged, for example, via: a telephone, an Interactive Voice ResponseUnit (IVRU), electronic mail, a WEBTV® interface, a cable networkinterface, and/or a wireless communication system.

[0044] The player device 300 and the game controller 400 may be anydevices capable of performing various functions described herein. Theplayer device 300 may be, for example: a Personal Computer (PC), aportable computing device such as a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), awired or wireless telephone, a one-way or two-way pager, a kiosk (e.g.,a game kiosk located at an airport terminal), an interactive televisiondevice, a game terminal (e.g., a SONY PLAY STATION® video gameterminal), or any other appropriate storage and/or communication device.

[0045] Note that the devices shown in FIG. 1 need not be in constantcommunication. For example, the player device 300 may only communicatewith the game controller 400 via the Internet when appropriate (e.g.,when attached to a “docking” station or “cradle” coupled to the player'sPC). The player device 300 may also communicate with the game controller400 via an infrared device when near a game kiosk. Note also that aplayer device 300 and the game controller 400 may be incorporated in asingle device (e.g., a game kiosk may act as both a player device 300and the game controller 400).

[0046] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a playeruses a player device 300 to communicate with the game controller 400.For example, a player may use his or her PC to access a Web siteassociated with the game controller 400 in order to play a game. In thiscase, the game controller 400 may transmit a list of item descriptionsto the player device 300 along with an additional item description.

[0047] The player may use his or her player device 300 to transmit anindication of a list position to the game controller 400. For example, aplayer may use a keyboard or mouse coupled to his or her PC to indicatea list position associated with the additional item description to thegame controller 400.

[0048] If the indication received by the game controller 400 is correct(e.g., the player has correctly placed the additional item descriptionin the list), the game controller 400 may add the additional itemdescription to the list and transmit another additional item descriptionto the player device 300.

[0049]FIG. 2A is a flow chart of a method for facilitating game playaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. The method shown inFIG. 2A may be performed by, for example, the game controller 400 and/ora player device 300. At 202, an ordered list of item descriptions isprovided to a player, and each item description is positioned in thelist according to an associated item value. For example, each itemdescription may comprise an event description (e.g., “COCA-COLA®introduces NEW COKE®, angering many of its customers”), in which caseeach item value may be an event date associated with the eventdescription (e.g., “1985”). The item description may comprise, forexample, text information, audio information, and/or image informationthat is transmitted from the game controller 400 to the player device300.

[0050] Note that an item value does not have to represent an event date.For example, each item description may describe a physical item, inwhich case each item value may represent a physical measurement, such asa size, a height, a weight, a temperature, a distance, a speed, or ageographic location. By way of example, a player may be provided with anordered list of famous buildings, each building being associated with abuilding height. According to other embodiments, an item value mayrepresent a monetary amount (e.g., a retail price), populationinformation, or opinion information (e.g., information based on surveyresults).

[0051] At 204, an additional item description is also provided to theplayer. The additional item description is associated with an additionalitem value and may comprise, for example, text information, audioinformation, and/or image information that is transmitted from the gamecontroller 400 to the player device 300. Consider, for example, FIG. 2Bwhich illustrates a first game display 252 according to an embodiment ofthe present invention. In this case, the player has been provided withan ordered list of event descriptions (i.e., including “Saturday NightLive debuts on public television” and “General Motors® introduces theSaturn®”) along with an additional event description (i.e., “COCA-COLA®introduces NEW COKE®, angering many of its customers”).

[0052] At 206, an indication of a list position associated with theadditional item is received from the player. That is, the player willattempt to place the item in the ordered list based on the additionalitem value and the values associated with the items in the list (e.g.,by placing the additional item in the ordered list based on the eventdate of the additional item and the event dates of the items in thelist). For example, the player may use a mouse or keyboard coupled tohis or her PC to indicate a list position associated with the additionalitem (e.g., as illustrated by the dashed line in the first game display252 of FIG. 2B).

[0053] According to another embodiment, the player may be provided witha set of additional item descriptions. For example, the player may beprovided with three additional item descriptions, in which case theplayer can select one of the three additional item descriptions to placein the list. In this case, each of the set of additional itemdescriptions may be associated with a difficulty level (e.g., easy,medium, or difficult) and/or a score (e.g., a number of points that willbe earned by the player if he or she correctly places the item in thelist).

[0054] The game controller 400 may then evaluate the indication receivedfrom the player device 300 based on the list position, the additionalitem value, and the item values associated with each item description inthe ordered list. Consider, for example, a player who indicates that anadditional event occurred between a third event and a fourth event in alist. In this case, the game controller 400 may determine if anadditional event occurred on a date (i) after a date that the thirdevent occurred and (ii) before a date that the fourth event occurred.

[0055] If the received indication is not correct at 208, the processends (e.g., the player incorrectly positioned the item in the list andthe player's game may be over). If the received indication is correct at208, the additional item description is added to the list and anotheradditional item description is provided to the to the player at 210.Such an updated list and additional item description are illustrated inthe second game display 254 shown in FIG. 2B.

[0056] According to one embodiment, indications are provided to andreceived from the player until an incorrect list position is received bythe game controller 400. For example, a player may be allowed to placeitems in the list indefinitely until he or she places an item in anincorrect position. Note that game play will naturally become moredifficult as the player continues to add items to the list (e.g.,positioning an item in a longer list will be more difficult thanpositioning an item in a shorter list).

[0057] According to another embodiment, indications are provided to andreceived from the player until a predetermined condition occurs. Forexample, a player may be allowed to place items in a list until he orshe incorrectly positions a predetermined number of items (e.g., untilhe or she places three items in wrong positions) or until he or shecorrectly positions a predetermined number of items (e.g., the playermay win the game if he or she correctly places twenty items in a list).According to another embodiment, a player may be allowed to place itemsin a list until another player (e.g., a competing player) correctly orincorrectly positions a predetermined number of items. According tostill another embodiment, a player may be allowed to place items in alist for a predetermined period of time (e.g., for ninety seconds) oruntil a predetermined time occurs (e.g., until 1:05 PM).

[0058] Based on the indications received from the player during a game,the game controller 400 may determine a game result. For example, thegame result may simply indicate a number of correct indications thathave been received from the player. According to other embodiments, thegame result may also be based on, for example, a time (e.g., how long ittook the player to position items in a list), a difficulty levelassociated with one or more additional items, and/or a score associatedwith one or more additional items.

[0059] Referring again to FIG. 1, according to one embodiment the gamecontroller 400 also arranges for a player to provide a payment inexchange for playing a game and/or arranges for the player to receive apayment based on a game result. For example, the game controller 400 mayarrange for the player to receive $1,000 if he or she correctlypositions twenty items in a list. According to such an embodiment, apayment device 110 may be used to arrange for the player to provideand/or receive payments. For example, the game controller 400 mayarrange for a player to purchase one or more game plays via the paymentdevice 110 (e.g., via a credit card account, a debit card account, abanking account, or an electronic payment protocol). According to oneembodiment, the player receives a benefit other than payment of a prizeamount based on a game result (e.g., the player may receive a free playor a discount on a future purchase).

[0060] Player Device

[0061]FIG. 3 illustrates a player device 300 that is descriptive of thedevice shown in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. The player device 300 comprises a processor 310, such as oneor more INTEL® Pentium® processors, coupled to a communication device320 configured to communicate via a communication network (not shown inFIG. 3). The communication device 320 may be used to communicate, forexample, with the game controller 400 and/or the payment device 110.

[0062] The processor 310 is also in communication with an input device340. The input device 340 may comprise, for example, a keyboard, a mouseor other pointing device, a microphone, a knob or a switch (including anelectronic representation of a knob or a switch), an infrared port, adocking station, and/or a touch screen. Such an input device 340 may beused, for example, by a player to play a game (e.g., by manipulating apointer associated with a computer-based golf game).

[0063] The processor 310 is also in communication with an output device350. The output device 340 may comprise, for example, a display (e.g., acomputer monitor), a speaker, and/or a printer. The output device 350may be used, for example, to provide game information to a player.

[0064] The processor 310 is also in communication with a storage device330. The storage device 330 may comprise any appropriate informationstorage device, including combinations of magnetic storage devices(e.g., magnetic tape and hard disk drives), optical storage devices,and/or semiconductor memory devices such as Random Access Memory (RAM)devices and Read Only Memory (ROM) devices.

[0065] The storage device 330 stores a program 315 for controlling theprocessor 310. The processor 310 performs instructions of the program315, and thereby operates in accordance with the present invention. Forexample, the processor 310 may arrange for a player to play a game.

[0066] As used herein, information may be “received” by or “transmitted”to, for example: (i) the player device 300 from the game controller 400;or (ii) a software application or module within the player device 300from another software application, module, or any other source.

[0067]FIG. 10A illustrates a PC 302 displaying game informationaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. The PC 302 includesa keyboard 342A and a mouse 342B which can be used by a player to play agame (e.g., by inputting an indication of a list position associatedwith an additional item). The PC 302 also includes a computer display352A and speakers 352B which can be used to, for example, provide a listof item descriptions to a player.

[0068]FIG. 10B illustrates a PDA 304 displaying game informationaccording to another embodiment of the present invention. The PDA 304includes an input device 344 and an output device 354 (e.g., a displayscreen) that may be used by a player to play a game. Similarly, FIG. 10Cillustrates a wireless telephone 306 including an input device 346 andan output device 356 displaying game information.

[0069] Game Controller

[0070]FIG. 4 illustrates a game controller 400 that is descriptive ofthe device shown in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. The game controller 400 comprises a processor 410, such asone or more INTEL® Pentium® processors, coupled to a communicationdevice 420 configured to communicate via a communication network (notshown in FIG. 4). The communication device 420 may be used tocommunicate, for example, with one or more player devices 300 and/or thepayment device 110.

[0071] The processor 410 is also in communication with a storage device430. The storage device 430 may comprise any appropriate informationstorage device, including combinations of magnetic storage devices(e.g., magnetic tape and hard disk drives), optical storage devices,and/or semiconductor memory devices such as RAM devices and ROM devices.

[0072] The storage device 430 stores a program 415 for controlling theprocessor 410. The processor 410 performs instructions of the program415, and thereby operates in accordance with the present invention. Forexample, the processor 410 may provide a list of item descriptions to aplayer device 300, each item description being positioned in the listaccording to an associated item value. The processor 410 may alsoprovide an additional item description to the player device 300, theadditional item description being associated with an additional itemvalue, and receive from the player device 300 an indication of a listposition associated with the additional item. If the received indicationis correct, the processor 410 may add the additional item description tothe list and provide another additional item description to the playerdevice 300.

[0073] According to another embodiment, the processor 410 arranges for aplayer to provide a payment in exchange for playing a game. Theprocessor 410 also transmits a list of event descriptions along with anadditional event description to a player via a communication network,each event description being positioned in the list in accordance withan event date associated with the event description. The processor 410receives a list position associated with the additional eventdescription and evaluates the received list position based on an eventdate associated with the additional event description. If the receivedlist position is correct, the processor 410 updates the list to includethe additional event description and transmits another additional eventdescription to the player. The processor 410 also arranges for theplayer to receive payment of a prize amount based on a number of correctlist positions received from the player.

[0074] The program 415 may be stored in a compressed, uncompiled and/orencrypted format. The program 415 may furthermore include other programelements, such as an operating system, a database management system,and/or device drivers used by the processor 410 to interface withperipheral devices.

[0075] As used herein, information may be “received” by or “transmitted”to, for example: (i) the game controller 400 from the player device 300;or (ii) a software application or module within the game controller 400from another software application, module, or any other source.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 4, the storage device 430 also stores a playerdatabase 500 (described with respect to FIG. 5), an item database 600(described with respect to FIG. 6), and a game database 700 (describedwith respect to FIG. 7). Examples of databases that may be used inconnection with the game system 100 will now be described in detail withrespect to FIGS. 5 through 7. The illustrations and accompanyingdescriptions of the databases presented herein are exemplary, and anynumber of other database arrangements could be employed besides thosesuggested by the figures.

[0077] Player Database

[0078] Referring to FIG. 5, a table represents the player database 500that may be stored at the game controller 400 according to an embodimentof the present invention. The table includes entries identifying playerswho may play games via the game system 100. The table also definesfields 502, 504, 506, 508, 510 for each of the entries. The fieldsspecify: a player identifier 502, a name 504, contact information 506, apayment identifier 508, and an account balance 510. The information inthe player database 500 may be created and updated, for example, basedon information received from player when he or she registers with thegame controller 400. The information in the player database 500 may alsobe based on, for example, information generated as the player playsgames via the game system 100.

[0079] The player identifier 502 may be, for example, an alphanumericcode associated with a player who has registered to use the game system100. The player identifier 502 may be generated by, for example, thegame controller 400 or the player (e.g., when the player provides a username and password). The player database 500 also stores the name 504 andcontact information 506 (e.g., a postal address, an electronic mailaddress, an IP address, or a telephone number) associated with eachplayer.

[0080] The payment identifier 508 may comprise, for example, a creditcard, debit card or bank account number (e.g., a checking accountnumber) or digital payment protocol information. The account balance 510may represent an amount that a player owes to a game provider or anamount that the game provider owes to the player. The payment identifier508 and account balance 510 may be used, for example, by the gamecontroller 400 to arrange for the player to provide or receive apayment.

[0081] Item Database

[0082] Referring to FIG. 6, a table represents the item database 600that may be stored at the game controller 400 according to an embodimentof the present invention. According to another embodiment, all or someof the information in the item database 600 may instead be stored at aplayer device 300. The table includes entries identifying events thatmay be used by the game controller 400 during game play. The table alsodefines fields 602, 604, 606 for each of the entries. The fieldsspecify: an event identifier 602, a description 604, and a date 606. Theinformation in the item database 600 may be created and updated, forexample, by the game controller 400.

[0083] The item identifier 602 may be, for example, an alphanumeric codeassociated with an event (e.g., a historical event) that can be used bythe game controller 400 during game play. The event may be used, forexample, as an item in a list or as an additional item that a playermust position in a list.

[0084] The description 604 represents information that describes theevent. The description 604 may be, for example, text information, audioinformation, and/or image information that is transmitted from the gamecontroller 400 to the player device 300.

[0085] The date 606 represents a date associated with the event. Thedate 606 may be, for example, the year in which the event occurred. Thedate 606 may be used by the game controller 400 to position items in alist and/or to evaluate an indication of a list position received from aplayer device 300.

[0086] According to one embodiment, an operator associated with a gameprovider generates the information stored in the item database 600.According to another embodiment, the information in the item database600 is automatically generated based on information stored in otherdatabases (e.g., general information databases). For example, eventinformation in an encyclopedia database may be used to generate theinformation in the item database 600. In this case, the eventinformation in the encyclopedia database may be filtered (e.g., toremove events that occurred before and/or after predetermined dates)and/or modified (e.g., by translating a specific date into a year). Suchan approach may be useful, for example, if a large amount of iteminformation is required by the game controller 400 (e.g., when thousandsof players are expected to play an online game).

[0087] In addition to the information described above, the item database600 may store information associated with, for example, an item category(e.g., “historical event,” “sporting event,” or “geographicinformation”) and/or a difficulty level (e.g., “well known” or“obscure”). According to other embodiment, the item database 600 mayalso indicate how many times an item has been used during game playand/or which players have already been exposed to the item during gameplay.

[0088] Game Database

[0089] Referring to FIG. 7, a table represents the game database 700that may be stored at the game controller 400 according to an embodimentof the present invention. According to another embodiment, all or someof the information in the game database 700 may instead be stored at aplayer device 300. The table includes entries identifying games thathave been played via the game system 100. The table also defines fields702, 704, 706, 708 for each of the entries. The fields specify: a gameidentifier 702, a player identifier 704, a number of correct listpositions 706, and a game result 708. The information in the gamedatabase 700 may be created and updated, for example, as players playgames.

[0090] The game identifier 702 may be, for example, an alphanumeric codeassociated with a game that was played via the game system 100. Theplayer identifier 704 indicates the player who played the game, and maybe based on, or associated with, the player identifier 502 stored in theplayer database 500.

[0091] The number of correct list positions 706 may indicate a totalnumber of items that a player has correctly positioned in a list duringgame play, and the game result 708 may indicate the result of the game(e.g., a prize amount won by the player). According to one embodiment,the game result 708 is based on the number of correct list positions706.

[0092] In addition to the information described above, the game database700 may store information enabling the determination of, for example, alist of items, one or more additional item descriptions, and/or one ormore received indications. Such information may be useful, for example,to settle any dispute that may arise between a game provider and aplayer.

[0093] Methods that may be used in connection with the game system 100according to some embodiments of the present invention will now bedescribed in detail with respect to FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0094] Game System Methods

[0095]FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a method that may be performed by thegame controller 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention.The flow charts in FIG. 8 and the other figures described herein do notimply a fixed order to the steps, and embodiments of the presentinvention can be practiced in any order that is practicable. Moreover,the methods may be performed by any of the devices described herein,including a player device 300.

[0096] At 802, it is arranged for a player to provide a payment inexchange for playing a game. For example, the game controller 400 maytransmit a payment identifier 508 to a payment device 110 to arrange forthe player to provide a payment of $1.00 in exchange for playing thegame. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the playeralso selects a player category associated with the game. For example, aplayer may indicate that he or she wants to receive item descriptionsassociated with historical events. The player category may also beassociated with maximum and minimum item values. For example, each itemdescription in a “1970's music” category might be associated with anitem value of between “Jan. 1, 1970” and “Dec. 31, 1979.” According toanother embodiment, player demographic information is used to determinean item category.

[0097] At 804, a list of event descriptions is transmitted from the gamecontroller 400 to a remote player device 300 via a communicationnetwork, each of the event description being positioned in the list inaccordance with an event date associated with the event description. Thegame controller 400 may generate the list based on, for example,information stored in the item database 600.

[0098] At 806, an additional event description is transmitted from thegame controller 400 to the player device 300. According to oneembodiment, the game controller 400 may also determine a level ofdifficulty associated with, for example, the list, the additional itemdescription, and/or a set of additional item descriptions.

[0099] Note that the game controller 400 may select, for example, anitem description on the list, an additional item description, and/or aset of additional item descriptions from the item database 600. Thisselection may be based on, for example, an item value, an itemdescription indicated to the player in a current game, an itemdescription indicated to the player in a prior game, an item descriptionindicated to another player, a player category (e.g., the player hasselected “political events” as a player category), and/or demographicinformation associated with the player. According to another embodiment,the selecting is based on a level of difficulty (e.g., the gamecontroller 400 may select an additional event description having anevent date that is very close to an event date of one of the events inthe list).

[0100] At 808, the game controller 400 receives a list positionassociated with the additional event description from the player device300. At 810, the game controller 400 evaluates the received listposition based on an event date associated with the additional eventdescription (e.g., based on a date 606 stored in the item database 600).If the evaluation indicates that the received list position is notcorrect at 812, the process ends (e.g., the player has provided a wronganswer and the game is over).

[0101] If the evaluation indicates that the received list position iscorrect at 812, the game controller 400 determines if the player hasprovided a predetermined number of correct indications at 814. If theplayer has provided the predetermined number of correct indications(e.g., the player has won the game), it is arranged for the player toreceive payment of a prize amount at 816.

[0102] If the player has not yet provided the predetermined number ofcorrect indications, the game controller 400 updates the list to includethe additional event description and transmits another additional eventdescription to the player device 300 at 818. The player then continuesto play the game until he or she incorrectly positions an item or winsthe game.

[0103] Thus, as the player correctly positions events in the list, thelist grows (making it more difficult to position additional events inthe list). Moreover, each new list presented to the player builds on alist that was previously considered by the player (making game play moreinteresting to the player).

[0104]FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a method according to another embodimentof the present invention. At 902, a first indication of a first item(associated with a first value) is provided. For example, a descriptionof a first event may be transmitted to a player. At 904, a secondindication of a second item (associated with a second value) isprovided, and an additional indication of an additional item (associatedwith an additional value) is provided at 906. According to oneembodiment, a relationship between the first value and the second valueis indicated to the player (e.g., by presenting the first item and thesecond in an ordered list). Note that the exact relationship between thefirst value and the second value may not be indicated to the player(e.g., the player may not be told if items in a list are ordered basedon increasing or decreasing values). According to another embodiment, amagnitude associated with a relationship is indicated to a player (e.g.,events descriptions positioned far apart on a time line may beassociated with event dates that are far apart). Moreover, at least oneof the first value, the second value, and the additional value are notindicated to a player according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0105] At 908, an indication is received of (i) a relationship betweenthe additional value and the first value and (ii) a relationship betweenthe additional value and the second value. For example, a player mayposition the additional item in an ordered list with respect to thefirst and second items.

[0106] Additional Embodiments

[0107] The following illustrates various additional embodiments of thepresent invention. These do not constitute a definition of all possibleembodiments, and those skilled in the art will understand that thepresent invention is applicable to many other embodiments. Further,although the following embodiments are briefly described for clarity,those skilled in the art will understand how to make any changes, ifnecessary, to the above-described apparatus and methods to accommodatethese and other embodiments and applications.

[0108] Although most of the embodiments described herein are associatedwith a game controller 400 determining an ordered list of items and/oran additional item, either of these functions may instead be performedby a player device 300. Moreover, embodiments of the present inventionmay or may not involve players who provide payments in exchange forplaying the game (e.g., a sweepstakes-type prize may be awarded to aplayer). In addition, embodiments of the present invention may be usedwith respect to educational games as well as entertainment games(including games associated with skill and/or chance).

[0109] Similarly, although most of the embodiments described herein areassociated with a game played by a single player, the present inventioncan also be used with respect to a game involving multiple players. Forexample, the first player to correctly position twenty items may receivepayment of a prize amount. Similarly, the player who correctly positionsthe most items may win a game. According to one embodiment, multipleplayers take turns adding items to a single list.

[0110] Moreover, it is not necessary for the player to indicate a listposition associated with an additional item. For example, the gamecontroller 400 may provide the following information to a player: (i) anordered list, (ii) a list position, and (iii) a set of additional itemdescriptions. In this case, the player may be required to select thecorrect additional item description associated with the list position.

[0111] According to another embodiment, a player may not need toindicate the exact position of an item in a list (e.g., the player maybe allowed to position the item within a predetermined range of acorrect position).

[0112] The present invention has been described in terms of severalembodiments solely for the purpose of illustration. Persons skilled inthe art will recognize from this description that the invention is notlimited to the embodiments described, but may be practiced withmodifications and alterations limited only by the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of facilitating game play, comprising: providing a list of item descriptions to a player, each item description being positioned in the list according to an associated item value; providing an additional item description to the player, the additional item description being associated with an additional item value; receiving from the player an indication of a list position associated with the additional item; and if the received indication is correct, adding the additional item description to the list and providing another additional item description to the player.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein indications are provided to and received from a player until an incorrect list position is received.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein indications are provided to and received from a player until a predetermined condition occurs.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein th e predetermined condition comprises at least one of: (i) receiving a predetermined number of incorrect list positions from the player, (ii) receiving a predetermined number of correct list positions from the player, (iii) receiving a predetermined number of incorrect list positions from another player, (iv) receiving a predetermined number of correct list positions from another player, (v) a predetermined time, and (vi) a predetermined period of time.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said providing an additional item description comprises providing a set of additional item descriptions to the player, and said receiving comprises receiving (i) a selected additional item description and (ii) an indication of a list position associated with the selected additional item.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein each of the set of additional item descriptions are associated with a difficulty level and a score.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: evaluating the received indication based on the list position, the additional item value, and the item values associated with the item descriptions.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining a game result.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein indications are received from the player until an incorrect indication is received, and the game result comprises a number of correct indications received from the player.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the game result is based on at least one of the following: (i) a number of correct indications received from the player, (ii) a time, (iii) a difficulty level associated with an additional item, and (iv) a score associated with the additional item.
 11. The method of claim 8, further comprising: arranging for the player to receive a prize based on the game result.
 12. The method of claim 8, further comprising: comparing the game result with a game result associated with another player.
 13. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining a level of difficulty associated with at least one of: (i) the list, (ii) the additional item description, and (iii) a set of additional item descriptions.
 14. The method of claim 1, further comprising: selecting at least one of: (i) an item description on the list, (ii) the additional item description, and (iii) a set of additional item descriptions.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein said selecting is based on at least one of: (i) an item value, (ii) an item description indicated to the player in a current game, (iii) an item description indicated to the player in a prior game, (iv) an item description indicated to another player, (v) a player category, and (vi) demographic information associated with the player.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein said selecting is based on a level of difficulty.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein each item description comprises an event description, and each item value comprises an event date associated with the event description.
 18. The method of claim 1, wherein each item value comprises a physical measurement associated with an item description.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the physical measurement comprises one of: (i) a size, (ii) a height, (iii) a weight, (iv) a temperature, (v) a distance, (vi) a speed, and (vii) a geographic location.
 20. The method of claim 1, wherein each item value comprises one of: (i) a monetary amount associated with the item description, (ii) population information associated with the item description, and (iii) opinion information associated with the item description.
 21. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of an item description and the additional item description comprises at least one of: (i) text information, (ii) audio information, and (iii) image information.
 22. The method of claim 1, wherein the player plays a game at a remote player device in communication with a game controller, and at least one of said providing and said receiving comprises: exchanging information with the remote player device via a communication network.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the remote player device comprises at least one of: (i) a personal computer, (ii) a portable computing device, (iii) a personal digital assistant, (iv) a telephone, (v) a wireless telephone, (vi) a game terminal, (vii) an interactive television device, and (viii) a kiosk.
 24. The method of claim 22, wherein the communication network comprises at least one of: (i) the Internet, (ii) a public network, (iii) a public switched telephone network, (iv) a proprietary network, (v) a cable television network, (vi) a wireless network, and (vii) a local area network.
 25. The method of claim 1, further comprising: arranging for the player to provide a payment in exchange for playing a game.
 26. The method of claim 1, further comprising: storing information enabling the determination of at least one of: (i) the list, (ii) the additional item description, (iii) a set of additional item descriptions, and (iv) the received indication.
 27. A game apparatus, comprising: a processor; and a storage device in communication with said processor and storing instructions adapted to be executed by said processor to: provide a list of item descriptions to a player, each item description being positioned in the list according to an associated item value; provide an additional item description to the player, the additional item description being associated with an additional item value; receive from the player an indication of a list position associated with the additional item; and if the received indication is correct, add the additional item description to the list and providing another additional item description to the player.
 28. The game apparatus of claim 27, wherein said storage device further stores at least one of: (i) a player database, (ii) an item database, and (iii) a game database.
 29. The game apparatus of claim 27, further comprising: a communication device coupled to said processor and adapted to communicate with at least one of: (i) a player device, (ii) a game controller, and (iii) a payment device.
 30. A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to facilitate game play, said method comprising: providing a list of item descriptions to a player, each item description being positioned in the list according to an associated item value; providing an additional item description to the player, the additional item description being associated with an additional item value; receiving from the player an indication of a list position associated with the additional item; and if the received indication is correct, adding the additional item description to the list and providing another additional item description to the player.
 31. A computer-implemented method of conducting a game, comprising: arranging for a player to provide a payment in exchange for playing a game; transmitting a list of event descriptions to a remote player device via a communication network, each event description being positioned in the list in accordance with an event date associated with the event description; transmitting an additional event description; receiving from the remote player device a list position associated with the additional event description; evaluating the received list position based on an event date associated with the additional event description; if said evaluating indicates that the received list position is correct, updating the list to include the additional event description and transmitting another additional event description; and arranging for the player to receive payment of a prize amount based on a number of correct list positions received from the player.
 32. A method of facilitating game play, comprising: providing a first indication of a first item associated with a first value; providing a second indication of a second item associated with a second value; providing an additional indication of an additional item associated with an additional value; and receiving an indication of (i) a relationship between the additional value and the first value and (ii) a relationship between the additional value and the second value.
 33. The method of claim 32, wherein a relationship between the first value and the second value is indicated to a player.
 34. The method of claim 32, wherein at least one of the first value, the second value, and the additional item value are not indicated to a player.
 35. A method of facilitating game play, comprising: providing a first indication of a first item to a player, the first item being associated with a first value; providing a second indication of a second item to the player, the second item being associated with a second value, wherein (i) the first value and the second value are not indicated to the player, and (ii) a relationship between the first value and the second value is indicated to the player; providing an additional item to the player, the additional item being associated with an additional value that is not indicated to the player; and receiving from the player an indication of (i) a relationship between the additional value and the first value and (ii) a relationship between the additional value and the second value.
 36. A method of facilitating game play, comprising: providing a list of item descriptions to a player, each item description being positioned in the list according to an associated item value; providing an indication of a list position to the player; providing a set of additional item descriptions to the player, each of the additional item descriptions being associated with an additional item value; receiving form the player an indication of one of the additional item descriptions; and if the received indication is correct, adding the appropriate additional item description to the list and providing another indication of a list position to the player along with another set of additional item descriptions.
 37. A method of playing a game, comprising: receiving a list of item descriptions, each item description being positioned in the list according to an associated item value; receiving an additional item description, the additional item description being associated with an additional item value; providing an indication of a list position associated with the additional item; and if the provided indication is correct, receiving: (i) an updated list including the additional item description, and (ii) another additional item description. 